Research has shown that intelligent people are more likely to suffer from mental disorders. People with higher IQ are associated with various mental and immunological diseases like depression, ADHD, anxiety, bipolar, asthma, immune disorders and lots more. Researchers discovered that highly intelligent people have tendencies for intellectual over excitabilities and hyper reactivity of the central nervous system.
A higher IQ leads to a greater awareness of the surrounding which causes the central nervous system to be more reactive. This hyper reactivity can lead to various mental disorders. This is known to be common among poets, novelists and others that exhibit high intelligence.
Researchers point out that highly intelligent people have tendencies for intellectual overstimulation and a hyperreactivity of the central nervous system. This gives people with high IQ's a heightened awareness that assists them with their creative and artistic work. This hyperreactivity, however, can lead to deep depression and poor mental health.
This is said to be true for poets, novelists, and people with high verbal intelligence. Many very highly intelligent and creative people suffer from major depression and suicidal ideation. For example, the American author, David Foster Wallace was one of the greatest and most influential writers of our time. He committed suicide by hanging himself.